Cameras that let you know your vision is getting worse

[DownUnder]

Autofocus saved my photography. The vision in my right eye began to deteriorate in 2008 or 2009 - a cataract - but being typically me, other than yearly optical tests I did nothing til 2015, when it had got so bad that I couldn't see much other than bright lights.

I traveled a lot in Southeast Asia until 2020 and had plans to get that cataract done in Malaysia, but again being me, I dithered and delayed again.

Autofocus Nikon DSLRs and my Contax G1s (adjustable diopters) are now my mainstay. I use my two Nikkormat FT2s with manual focus Nikkors (obviously) for distant shooting and make do with optical diopters and hyperfocal settings. Closeup work with the 'mats and my Rolleis is now so difficult, I no longer do very much of it, tho in the latter case the insane prices for 120 film in Australia now is more the reason than my eyesight.

Enlarging is a pain but still possible with care and an Ilford grain focuser. I see very little now with safelighting, but by careful timing I get the prints I want.

So far laptop work (internet, writing, post processing) is still possible. I limit my online time as my left eye seems 'tired' of late. I plan to get this checked by an opthalmologist as soon as I can get over to Melbourne. Ditto the cataract removed - I want to have it done in Penang next year if Covid plays along and Australia and Malaysia 'unlock'.

At home I use $2 magnifiers from our local Reject Shop, one in every room.

Growing old is no picnic. I do take consolation (of a sort) by reminding myself it's better than the alternative...

 

[Rob-F]

The vision in my right eye began to deteriorate in 2008 or 2009 - a cataract - but being typically me, other than yearly optical tests I did noting about it til 2015, when it had got so bad that I couldn't see much other than bright lights.

I traveled a lot in Southeast Asia until 2020 and had plans to get that cataract done in Malaysia, but again being me, I did nothing about it.

Ditto the cataract removed - I want to have it done in Penang next year if Covid plays along and Australia and Malaysia 'unlock'.

Growing old is no picnic. I do take consolation (of a sort) by reminding myself it's better than the alternative...

If anxiety is behind the delay in getting the cataract surgery, I can tell you it's not a big deal and it doesn't hurt. My cataract surgery took five minutes per eye (after two or three hours of prep). It only takes 2 weeks to heal from the incision. They do one eye, then wait two weeks before doing the other. They don't put you completely out for it. You know what is going on, and can talk to the doctor during the procedure. You'll be glad you did it. Right, growing old is not for sissies!

 

[Doug]

Agree completely with Rob. The only uncomfortable part was taping to keep my eyelid open. In my case it was 2 years until my right eye cataract developed to the point of needing work, after the left was done. But first I tried an assessment at the VA hospital... They thought my left eye wasn't quite bad enough to justify the operation and sent me home. It was blurry but indeed still usable. I went back later when it was unusable and they STILL thought it was too early. At this point I'd be in trouble if something happened to my right eye, like some grit or an eyelash in it. While driving, say.... So I went with a local eye surgeon on the recommendation of my optometrist. Smooth quick and easy. And then I passed the eye test for drivers license renewal without glasses for the first time ever! 🙂

 

[zuiko85]

I’m 72, my near vision started to go 25 years ago. But I won’t get rid of my favorite cameras! Thats what readers are for. Push them up or let them dangle with a strap. Anyway, cataract surgery will be completed in two months, going to go for distance and still keep the readers. Don’t care if I look like an old man…I am an old man!

Edit; That’s also what detents are for, if you know where you start, you can count where you are going. When putting the camera away it’s always set wide open at 1/125sec.

 

[CLAdictic]

Holding a Leica to my right eye and then moving it to my left eye, I was amazed by the loss of sight. I was aware that I had cataracts developing on both, I was not aware of how bad they had developed. Had an exam by the VA ophthalmologist and we both said it was time. I elected to be outsourced due to the fact that the VA had a long waiting list. The surgery was performed two weeks apart in the eyes. A lens is inserted into the eye. I had the choice of far or near vision. I opted for far distance leaving the close for reading glasses. Nine months following the surgery and it's great. I can put a viewfinder up to my eye with no problem.